How to Change the Google Pixel 2 APN Settings

This guide will go over everything you need to know about changing Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL APN settings. These are what you need to change to use the Pixel 2 on different carriers.

APN stands for “Access Point Name” and is essentially a doorway to carrier networks. It gives your phone the necessary information to communicate with AT&T, T-Mobile, and others. Everything from 4G LTE to sending text or picture messages.

This is sometimes done automatically when you put in a SIM card, but it doesn’t always work. As a result, owners will need to find and manually configure the APN settings themselves. Then start using the Pixel 2 on a carrier other than who you bought it from, like Verizon.

How to Change Pixel 2 APN Settings

The steps to find the correct menu in settings varies on different phones, but with stock Android 8.0 Oreo on the Pixel 2, this is very straightforward. A full set of instructions with images as a guide are below.

Instructions

From the Home screen, head to Settings (pull down the notification bar and hit the gear-shaped Settings button)

In Settings go to Network & Internet

Choose Mobile network

Then select Access Point Names (this is where you enter your carrier information)

Choose the APN info for your carrier if it’s listed. If not available, tap ADD or +

If no APN information populates on its own, you’ll have to manually enter them. Tap the ADD button in the top corner to start. You’ll see a lot of weird things like name, proxy, mmsc, port, and protocol. It sounds confusing, but you don’t need to know what they mean. All you need to know is what values or words to put in each category. You can get that information from your carrier, or from a quick Google search.

I’ve gone ahead and hit “add” and started adding the required info for T-Mobile’s APN settings. Input all the required lines of text, skip where it says “not set” then select the three dots at the top and tap Save. You can edit the ones already there, or enter your own.

Now your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL can communicate with T-Mobile cell towers and you’ll get full 4G LTE, HDVoice, and sending picture messages will work. Unlocked devices like the Pixel 2 typically add the APN info automatically. If not, this is how. You can find APN settings for Verizon here and AT&T here.

As a reminder, fill in the sections (or leave them blank) exactly as you see the APN details wherever you get them. If a line is blank or says “not set” just leave it that way. Don’t enter anything other than what you need to.

T-Mobile APN Settings (Input using the instructions above)

Since most people are bringing the Pixel 2 over to T-Mobile, here are the latest APN settings for T-Mobile in 2017.

Simply start a new APN listing on the Pixel. Then, enter all of the above information into each line under the APN settings menu. Go down one at a time. Once you hit save, go back and tap the circle on the right next to the newly entered APN configuration and reboot the phone.

To ensure everything worked, send a quick text message, make a phone call, or try browsing the web. If it doesn’t, double-check for any mistakes and try again. Users can also call their carrier of choice to confirm the APN settings are correct. Before you go, learn about the upcoming Android 8.1 Oreo update right here, or fix any Pixel 2 problems with our guide.